The Holy Spirit Church: A Sino‑Catholic Surprise in Taiwan
Picture a red pagoda roof, a cross billowing in the wind, and two lion statues standing guard at the gate. It doesn’t look like another Catholic church—at all. That’s the Holy Spirit Church in Yanshui, a quiet rural town about an hour from Tainan.
Why It Feels Like a Temple (Even Though It’s a Church)
- Built in the 1960s by a German missionary, it was rebuilt in 1986 by Pastor Li Shaofeng with a bold Chinese twist.
- Lanterns, red pillars, painted dragons—think of a classic Taiwanese temple meets a Catholic sanctuary.
- Inside, every wall is decked with murals that read the Bible, but the figures are Asian, wearing traditional Hanfu.
- And when you look at the “Last Supper” mural, the bread has been swapped for steaming baozi.
- A shrine behind the confessional, complete with candles and an incense bowl, pays homage to the church’s past pastors—an offbeat form of reverence that’s oddly familiar to locals.
Why It Works… and Why It’s a Bit… Challenging
Pastor Joseph Chung (67) says he wanted a church that “fits in” with the local vibe. His vision translated into a place that truly feels like a part of the community, even if the religion on the inside is Catholic. The place draws visitors from across southern Taiwan for daily masses and special events.
Meanwhile, the tiny flock—Yanshui’s population has been dwindling as people move to larger cities—still gathers each day, supported by a choir of nuns from the nearby Monastery of St. Clare.
What the Regulars Think
Cecilia Huang (66) has been coming for the past 20 years. She says the design doesn’t change her faith at all.
“It’s the same essence, only the look has gotten a local makeover. That’s what blesses this place.”
– Cecilia
So whether you’re steeped in Taoist temples or a devout Catholic, the Holy Spirit Church shows that faith can bend the walls around it and still stay true at the core.
